London will become one of the first cities in the world to have its own domain name.
A deal has been signed that will make available internet addresses ending in .london, instead of the usual .com or .uk, from next year.
The agreement, signed off by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, allows London-based businesses, organisations and individuals to apply for the domain name from spring 2014.
London & Partners, the city’s promotional body, says tens of thousands of businesses, including prestigious brands like Selfridges and Carnaby Street, have already expressed an interest. London Mayor Boris Johnson said it would be a major boon for businesses. (PA)
Indian treasure dream turns to dust
India has ended a search for treasure underneath a 19th century fort after finding only a few bones and terracotta bricks but none of the gold predicted by a Hindu holy man’s dream.
The search began on October 18 in Uttar Pradesh state in northern India after Hindu swami Shobhan Sarkar told a government minister that a former king appeared to him in a dream and told him of a haul worth nearly $50 billion (€37 billion).
The leader of the dig, Praveen Kumar Mishra, said the hunt had been suspended.
The government spent 1.6 million rupees (€19,112) on digging at the site, said Durga Shankar, a local magistrate.
The opposition said the government search was triggered by the holy man’s dream. (AP)
The write stuff by performing typist
Ever wanted to write a love letter but don’t know what to say? Anja Sieger and her typewriter can help.
The 26-year-old Wisconsin woman describes herself as a performing typist selling other people’s thoughts.
People hire her to write quirky love letters, insult letters, letters of recommendation, short stories and poems.
She says letters from pets are especially popular and she even includes doodles. Unusual requests include a man who wanted her to write a thank-you letter to his tree. She sells her work through her website, generally starting at $15 (€11). (AP)
Thieves take 70 tons of walnuts
Thieves have stolen 70 tons of walnuts from trucks parked in California.
The nuts were said to be worth around £240,000 in one of the biggest heists to hit the booming industry.
Police say rising prices appear to be behind a recent spate of walnut thefts. (PA)
Historic pictures will remain in the UK
The paintings that gave the British public their first glimpse of a kangaroo and dingo will be staying in the UK after the money was found to keep them.
A donation of £1.5 million from the Eyal Ofer Family Foundation means the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, will keep the pictures by artist George Stubbs. The works from 1772 are called The Kongouro From New Holland and Portrait Of A Large Dog. (AP)